Street vendors may operate but flea markets remain prohibited
“Street vendors and hawkers will be allowed to trade as their trade doesn’t necessarily encourage the gathering of crowds.”
Street vendors are allowed to operate during national lockdown level 3 but flea markets are not.
Tshwane metro has warned markets against opening as gatherings were still prohibited.
Spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said any flea market operating during the lockdown remained a violation of the regulations.
“According to section 37 (1) all gatherings are prohibited during national lockdown level 3, except church services, funerals, agricultural auctions, workplace for work purposes and non-contact sport under certain restrictions,” he said.
“Therefore, flea markets are not permitted during national lockdown level 3.”
Flea markets were considered as informal traders, similar to street vendors and hawkers as they normally do not operate from a permanent structure.
“In terms of the city of Tshwane’s informal trading by-law, a flea market is categorised as an informal trading business,” he said.
He said there was no difference between a food or flea market and a lady selling veggies in the street, however, street vendors would be permitted to operate.
READ MORE: Flea markets are not allowed to trade – Tshwane
“Street vendors and hawkers will be allowed to trade as their trade doesn’t necessarily encourage the gathering of crowds.”
Mashigo said places where people may gather were prohibited, including swimming pools, flea markets, casinos, hotels and lodges, taverns, cinemas and museums.
Street vendors and hawkers operating during national lockdown level 3 were expected to comply with the following conditions:
– They have valid permits issued by the municipality;
– Trade from demarcated and allocated trading spots;
– All businesses selling prepared foods should possess a certificate of acceptability from the Tshwane metro department of health;
– No on-site consumption of prepared food;
– Selling only level 3 permitted products – no selling of cigarettes;
– Social distancing (1.5m);
– Wearing of face masks;
– Washing their products; and
– Sanitising of their trading area and equipment.
“We urge all businesses to adhere to the regulations.”
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The Hazel food market owner Gerhard Scholtz said his doors were open as his market was not classified as a “flea market” and had more than 80 staff members who depended on the market for an income.
“We are not a flea market, we are an open-air food market,” he said.
“We sell food products as well as prepared food and people collect and they leave. How does that make us any different from a fast food outlet?”
Scholtz said the market had implemented the necessary precautions such as screening of customers, sanitising of hands, mandatory wearing of masks by customers and staff as well as safe physical distancing in queues.
“We only allow 50 people at a time and no sitting is allowed.”
He said the market had the necessary trading permit and was ensuring all the precautions were being taken to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
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